Slightly Sweet Pineapple Mint Iced Tea

Secret’s out! I’ve also never added sugar or other sweetener to my coffee. I guess by nature I tend not to gravitate towards overly sweet beverages.

Now that I live in the south, though…everywhere I look is sweet tea. If you even have to ask, yes, that pitcher of iced tea is pre-sweetened. Enough to make my lips pucker sometimes! Maybe I was just oblivious beforehand, but I don’t remember sweet tea gracing tables in New Jersey or California with the frequency it does here.

I know I’m never going to give up a secret excitement when a Bon Jovi song comes on (so many secrets today, guys) or lose my ever-so-slight twinge of a Jersey accent (per me; per B – it’s more than slight), but I’m meeting iced tea somewhere in the middle with this slightly sweet pineapple mint iced tea.

This iced tea is fruity, slightly sweet, and super refreshing for the summertime. It’s also incredibly easy! You’ll need to make two things – iced tea and the pineapple syrup. You can make iced tea any way you prefer – I simply added fresh mint leaves to the tea once it was brewed and stuck the pitcher in the fridge to cool.

Then it’s time for the pineapple syrup. I used two tablespoons of brown sugar to sweeten it up, but if you’re wholeheartedly into sweet tea, then by all means please add more. Once the syrup has been cooled and stored in the fridge, I’ve been adding it to individual glasses of iced tea by the tablespoonful. That way every person can add the fruity sweetness to their liking. The next time I make this syrup, I will most definitely be experimenting with cocktail recipes. Can I interest anyone in a pineapple brown sugar martini? 🙂

Boil 2 quarts of water and pour over five tea bags set in a pitcher to steep. Add fresh mint to pitcher and refrigerate until cold. Once chilled, remove mint leaves.

For the Pineapple Syrup:

Add pineapple to a small saucepan. Add just enough water to saucepan to cover pineapple. Set saucepan over high heat to boil. Once boiling, stir and reduce heat to low-medium. Cover and let simmer 20-25 minutes.

Remove saucepan from heat and press pineapple chunks against sides of saucepan with back of a wooden spoon to release juices. Pour pineapple mixture through a strainer into another saucepan and discard pineapple chunks.

Add brown sugar to saucepan with the pineapple juice and stir to dissolve. Set saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Once mixture is boiling, reduce heat to medium and let cook for five or so additional minutes. Remove from heat to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

To serve, pour 2 tbsp (or more, to taste) of pineapple syrup into iced tea and stir to combine.

P.S. Have you seen Chef John’s videos before? I love them! They’re informative and quick. Years ago my mom made a fab chicken parm dish that was out of our usual repertoire. I asked where she got the recipe from, and she replied ‘Chef John ‘. I said who?? Chef John runs the Food Wishes blog, and I can honestly say that this has become a regular dish in our house. Here’s the link to his Chicken Parm Casserole recipe, if you’re interested! Mmmm.

Comments

It’s been so warm, all I’ve wanted to “cook” lately is cold beverages! Thank goodness for smoothies- been making my chocolate chip mint smoothie for dinner. This looks great for a mid day boost though!

I drink my coffee and tea black, and unsweetened, but love me a fun cocktail & or iced tea. 🙂 I just came from a blog where I learnt how to make my own Mint tea, and Pineapple is tha business, reminds me of summer and sunshine and warmth and bronze tanned skin. Got me a lovely little recipe here. Thanks lovely! 🙂

Perfect timing, Anna! Haha the scent/taste of pineapple always transports me to summertime in my mind. It’s summer here so it’s not a stretch to imagine, but I bet this would brighten up your winter! The pineapple pairs so well with mint in this iced tea! I love a fun cocktail too every now and then, though I tend to choose ones on the lower-sugar side. 🙂

I love this idea of meeting somewhere in the middle. Even though I adore sweet tea, I am not a fan of other sugary drinks. Adding juice and herbs for additional flavor is so smart – I’ll definitely have to try that :).

Thanks Kathi! I’m taking baby steps haha. I must say – this iced tea is the perfect thing after coming in from the heat/humidity! I was accustomed to humidity in NJ, but spending the past two-ish years in San Diego really spoiled me with barely any humidity at all. Oof!

You are so right, sweet tea is everywhere here! I am not complaining though! 🙂 I was in New York a few years ago and asked for tea, and they brought hot unsweetened tea, which is normal for there, but I was excepting a large class of iced sweet tea since that is what you get when you ask for tea here. It is funny how different other areas of the country can be!

Haha yes, Annie! I so agree. I must admit, if you had asked me for some tea, I would have done the same thing – hot, unsweetened! It’s so interesting living in different parts of the country and learning the customs!

I’m glad you’re getting used to the local culture, Alyssa!!
I don’t ever add sugar to my hot tea or coffee either, but this mint and pineapple flavour tea sounds like it would be a great treat on a hot day. 🙂

Hahahah I’m sure sweet tea is everywhere! They must look at you super weird if you ever ask for it unsweetened! And you can take the girl out of Jersey, but you can’t take the Jersey out of the girl hahaha.

I’ve never actually had sweet tea, either! I’m not a huge tea drinker (I prefer coffee), but I’ve always wanted to try it. I love the flavors of this tea, Alyssa! This might just convert me to a sweet-tea lover! 🙂

Hi! I'm Alyssa, a twenty-something podcast junkie with a penchant for baking, boots, and pretty little things. Also strong coffee and spunky dogs. There's a good chance I can be found in the kitchen, wearing sequins, and dreaming of DIY. ♥